Wellington City Council passes tax increase for streets

The Wellington City Council voted to pass a two-mill tax increase, which will be used for street repairs, at its meeting Monday night.

The Wellington City Council voted to pass a two-mill tax increase, which will be used for street repairs, at its meeting Monday night.

They held a public hearing on the budget and no one spoke. The budget passed on a 5-1 vote, with council member Jim Valentine casting the no vote. Council member Vince Wetta also voiced opposition but voted for it, saying “it’s going to pass anyway.”

The city had the option of not doing street repairs and keeping the tax rate the same. City Manager Gus Collins told the council the city has not had a tax rate increase in 10 or 11 years.

The increase will cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $24 per year in taxes. The county lowered its taxes a little, so the total tax bill should not change much regardless.

The two who voiced opposition said they did not want to see a tax increase, and noted that many people on fixed incomes may have a hard time paying their taxes.

The council also decided to not continue a project they had started with the state, and to move that money over to the street department. The tax increase will raise about $75,000 per year, and that will fix up only a few blocks of streets.

Council members supporting the increase said they are hearing from people that streets need to be repaired.